The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is set to partner with the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to develop locally manufactured agricultural machinery and technologies aimed at reducing Ghana’s dependence on imports.
The Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Christian Agyare, gave the assurance when he received the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture and MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon, John Dumelo, at his office.
Mr Dumelo said the Ministry undertakes significant procurement annually and argued that more government contracts should be directed towards solutions developed by Ghanaian universities.
“We should be able to change the norm to allow most of our university students to come up with designs that we can expand on to reduce importation,” he said.
He said the long-term objective was to increase the use of locally developed technologies in government projects, particularly in agriculture, where mechanisation and access to equipment remain major challenges.
The Deputy Minister proposed that KNUST’s engineering departments lead the design and manufacture of agricultural machines and tools that could be deployed to farmers across the country.
Professor Agyare described the proposal as a laudable initiative that aligns with his vision of positioning KNUST at the centre of national development.
He said the university was ready to strengthen partnerships that would enable it to translate its expertise and research into practical solutions.
Professor Agyare subsequently urged the relevant departments to engage Mr Dumelo to explore areas of mutual interest in agricultural mechanisation.
Smart traffic lights
The meeting also explored a second collaboration involving the development of locally manufactured smart traffic-light systems for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency.
Professor Eric Tutu Tchao, Scientific Director of the DIPPER Lab at the KNUST College of Engineering, said discussions had focused on a proposed project to improve traffic-light systems in the constituency.
According to him, the project would require collaboration between the College of Engineering and the College of Science, with university experts providing technical support to address traffic challenges.
Mr Dumelo recalled that traffic lights had previously been developed by KNUST students during his time at the university and expressed interest in reviving the initiative.
“We would like to explore the possibility of engaging KNUST students and faculty to design and manufacture systems that could be deployed within the constituency,” he said.
He noted that the initiative could eventually serve as a model for replication across the country.
The Vice-Chancellor assured the Deputy Minister of KNUST’s full support and technical capacity to deliver on both projects.
The DIPPER Lab will lead the technical implementation of the traffic-light project in collaboration with experts from the College of Engineering and the College of Science.
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